Irina Ban

After gaining an MA in philosophy and literature and spending some years as a researcher and writer of lexicon and encyclopaedia entries, I ran the international PR department of one of the largest travel agencies in Croatia.

Writing has and always will be a fascination, the thrill of the discipline is felt with my eyes and fingertips. Understanding culture as a phenomenon both tangible and intangible, I was keen on perceiving, investigating and analysing both material and immaterial culture. It pushed me on, furthering my fascination with destination management as a means of storytelling, and assisted my experience of cuisines and wine – surely two of the best representatives of any culture.

Today, with over 15 years experience in PR and branding communications, I enjoy creating strategies and concepts for wineries and restaurants interested in offering high quality services as well as customer relationship projects. Commercially, the role is synonymous with customer acquisition, but for me it is an invitation to explore landscapes and cultural nuances in order to provide clients with premier experiences of their destinations, indulging them in the local heritage, history and mind-set. I always look to participate in and/or establish international projects, and have had the opportunity to become acquainted with wonderful people all over the world.

Irina's cultural tip

Croatia finds itself in a unique position at the cross-section of East and West, but also the Mediterranean. These influences give Croatia an exceptional culinary reputation, with a multiplicity of dishes and an abundance of natural, fresh ingredients. Croatia also has over 130 varieties of domestic wine and its vineyards have entered UNESCO world heritage wine regions. Indulge yourself!

Memorable travel experiences

Croatia’s position on the Adriatic sea ensures that lighthouses remain part of our cultural heritage. There are 46 in total, standing on the most distinct or distant points of Croatian territory. A third are still operated by lighthouse keepers, a profession that was once ubiquitous in European coastal towns and cities but has almost vanished, as lighting and modern navigation have developed. I have had the honor of working and living with these 'keepers', the cordial army of men and women who live with what we call ‘stone lights’. Residing with them revealed life’s simple and deep truths, and many times caused me asked myself: what is it that we truly need, and what honestly fulfils us?